Scaffold erector

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for erecting scaffolding, or tubular falsework, from the bottom up and for stripping same from the bottom down, and for moving tubular falsework, or scaffold, from one site to another, the apparatus comprising an attachment for mounting on the mast, or lifting portion of a forklift truck. The attachment comprises a stationary frame mounted on the lifting portion of the forklift truck, upon which is laterally slidable a gripping jaw support which mounts gripping jaws at each end thereof, the jaws being pivotally mounted for adjustment to grip and removably hold the scaffold being operated upon.

United States atet lnventor Elwin W. Anderson Seattle, Wash. Appl No. 805,678 Filed Mar. 10, 1969 Patented Aug. 31, 1971 Assignee Peter Kiewit Sons Co.

Omaha, Nebr.

SCAFFOLD ERECTOR 1 Claim, 9 Drawing Figs.

U.S.Cl 214/147 G, 214/730, 294/81 Int. Cl B661 9/14 Field of Search 214/653, 730,11-1,1SW,1D, 620, 512,147, 655,147 G; 294/81, 104

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,706,060 4/1955 Ferrario 214/655 X 10/1961 Cavanagh 214/655 j. n I new Misc 1! W5 L4; e ff 1\H--\ LL \v /fl 1H 1 r r, I l I H L i i'u: P

Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant ExaminerGeorge F. Abraham Attorney-Peck & Peck ABSTRACT: Apparatus for erecting scaffolding, or tubular falsework, from the bottom up and for stripping same from the bottom down, and for moving tubular falsework, or scaffold, from one site to another, the apparatus comprising an attachment for mounting on the mast, or lifting portion of a forklift truck. The attachment comprises a stationary frame mounted on the lifting portion of the forklift truck, upon which is laterally slidable a gripping jaw support which mounts gripping jaws at each end thereof, the jaws being pivotally mounted for adjustment to grip and removably. hold the scaffold being operated upon.

PATENTEU AUBSI ISYI SHEET 3 0F 3 45 49 Fla INVENTOR ELWIN W. ANDERSON ATTOR SCAFFOLD ERECTOR This invention relates broadly to the art of erecting, disassembling and moving scaffolds, and the like, and in its more specific aspects it relates to an apparatus comprising an attachment' for mounting on the lift portion of a forklift truck. The apparatus is operable to grip and removable hold a scaffold, or the like, whereby the apparatus and the scaffold, which is gripped and held thereby, may be moved from site to site due to the mobility of the forklift truck, or otherwise operated upon; and the nature and objects of the invention will be readily recognized and understood by those skilled in the arts to which it relates in the light of the following explanation and detailed description of the accompanying drawings i1- lustrating what I at present believe to be preferred embodiments or mechanical expressions of my invention from among various other forms, arrangements, combinations and constructions, of which the invention is capable within the spirit and scope thereof.

In many types of construction work scaffolding or tubular falsework towers are utilized for various purposes, and these towers may be erected to various heights, may be of different widths and, since a tower of the same dimensions may be used in different locations, it is advantageous to provide an arrangement for facilitating an expediting locale changes of the tower.

I have provided an attachment for mounting on the lifting portion of a forklift truck, and for gripping and holding scaffolding, whereby such scaffolding may be rapidly moved from place to place, or the tubular falsework, or scaffolding, may be erected from the bottom up and may be disassembled from the bottom down.

The attachment which I have evolved comprises generally a simple arrangement whereby gripping jaws are adjusted to the proper positions for gripping and holding a scaffold for changing its location, or for other operations thereon, and the inven tion embodies simple and efficient means for operating the attachment for the accomplishment of its purposes.

It will be recognized, that an attachment of the character of that involved in my invention, will produce substantial economies in the use of scaffolding, or tubular falsework towers, in many particular construction jobs.

The attachment embodied in this invention is adapted to be mounted on the lifting portion of a forklift truck, in'position thereon in front of the forklift and in general alignment with the fore and aft plane of the forklift. This attachment has been designed for operation laterally with respect to the fore and aft plane of the forklift so that when it is in gripping, holding relation with a scaffold, the scaffold will be so held in position to one side of the forklift. This is advantageous since the scaffold or falsework towers are conventionally placed on mudsills and these mudsills would interfere with the wheels of the forklift, if the scaffold or falsework tower was not laterally disposed with respect to the forklift.

It has been one of my future purposes, in the development of this invention, to devise an efficient mechanism of this character and to further provide such a mechanism which is relatively inexpensive to produce and is simple and easy to attach to the lifting portion of a forklift. It will be further apparent, as this description proceeds, that this attachment, and its combined operating mechanism, will require little or no maintenance under the exigencies of normal work usage.

This attachment provides relatively simple and efficient means whereby the mechanism is operated to properly position and dimension it for its task of gripping a scaffolding to perform the operations thereon which have been set forth above, and this mechanism has been so designed that it may be operated with facility by the operator of the forklift truck.

While I shall describe my invention as being combined with a forklift truck, this is merely by way of example and not as a limitation. For example, the apparatus may be mounted on an articulated mobile power unit having a hydraulically controlled mast movable fore and aft and vertically. Weight reduction in a specially designed mobile power unit would be of advantage.

With the foregoing general objects, features and results in view, as well as certain others which will be apparent from the following explanation, the invention consists in certain novel features in design, construction, mounting and combination of specified hereinafter.

elements, as will be more fully and particularly referred to and Referring to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective illustrating in phantom lines the forklift truck and the attachment mounted thereon in position gripping a scaffold which is illustrated in phantom lines.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view disclosing my attachment removed from the forklift truck and in reduced width position.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating the gripping attachment in extended full width laterally extended position.

FIG. 4 is a view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view taken on the line 5-5 ofFlG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the attachment, with parts thereof broken away, disclosing in detail one of the gripping jaw mechanisms in retracted position.

. FIG. 8 is a view taken on the line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a rear view in perspective of the attachment, with parts thereof broken away, and particularly illustrating means for mounting the attachment on the mast of lift portion of a forklift truck.

In the accompanying drawings I have used the numeral 1 to designate, in its entirety, a mobile forklift truck, of any suitable type, having wheels 3. A part of the lifting portion or mast of the forklift truck has been generally indicated by the numeral 5 and may comprise a link 7 (see FIG. 9) to the end of which a vertically extending bracket 9 is fixed as at 11. FIG. 1 of the drawings clearly indicates that there are at least two lifting links 7 which are hydraulically controlled by cylinders 13, and piston rods 15. It is to be understood that any suitable type of forklift truck may be used and that my attachment will be mounted on on the mast or lifting portion of the truck so that vertical reciprocation of the attachment may be accomplished upon reciprocation of the mast or lifting portion of the forklift.

Referring particularly to H68. 2 and 3 of the drawings, wherein l have used the numeral 15 to designate in its entirety the stationary frame of the attachment. This stationary frame is preferable of rectangular configuration and is also preferably, though not necessarily, formed in the nature of a grid providing longitudinally extending side members 17 which are connected together by a plurality of transversely extending webbs 19 leaving openings 21 therebetween. It will be appreciated that while the construction of the stationary frame, which I preferably employ, provides strength and reduces weight, this type of frame is illustrated by way of example and not as a limitation.

The frame 15 is removably connected to the lifting or mast portion of the forklift truck, such as the pair of uprights 9, by any suitable means, such as a bracket 23 which is fixed to the lower side member 17 of the frame 15, a pin 25 being fixed to and projecting from the upright 9, the pin being received in a slot 27 in the bracket 23, such slot being open at its lower end so that the bracket (and frame) may be hung over the pin. Spaced upwardly from the bracket 23 is a further bracket 29 which is fixed, by any suitable means to the upper side member 17 of the frame 15. A pin 30, is fixed to and extends outwardly'from upright 9 and is adapted to be received in a recess provided in the bracket 29. In mounting the frame on the pair of uprights on the lifting portion of the forklift truck each bracket 23 is hung over each pin 25 and then the upper brackets 29 are hung over each pin 30. whereupon, a keeper bar 32 is bolted to the bracket 29 to prevent the bracket 23 from lifting off pin 25. It is to be understood that the frame is mounted to each upright 9 of the pair of uprights of the lifting portion of the forklift truck.

Consideration of the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1 thereof, illustrates that the frame 15 is mounted on the lifting portion of the forklift truck in line with the fore and aft plane of such truck, in other words the frame 15 extends outwardly beyond the uprights 9 and a substantially equal distance on each side.

A gripping jaw support means, which I have designated generally by the numeral 31, is adapted to be operatively and slidable mounted on the frame of the attachment. The gripping jaw support means comprises upper and lower L- shaped mounting members, designated in their entireties by the numeral 33, such L-shaped mounting and supporting members consist of a horizontal leg 35 from the rear end of which depends, at substantially right angles with respect thereto, a leg 37. Consideration of FIG. 5 of the drawings illustrates that a pair of L-shaped mounting means are provided, one being mounted on the top edge of the upper side member 17 of the stationary frame 15, while the other L-shaped member 33 is mounted for sliding movement on the lower edge of the side member 17 of the stationary frame 15. The horizontal extending leg of each upper and lower L-shaped member 33 is in sliding engagement with the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the upper and lower side members 17, each horizontal leg 35 is of sufficient length so that it extends a substantial distance forwardly from the frame 15. Each depending flange or leg 37 of the upper and lower L-shaped members 33 extends downwardly and upwardly, respectively, a distance and each is in sliding engagement with the rear surfaces, or faces, of the upper and lower side members, respectively. Welded, or otherwise connected, to the horizontal extending flange 35 of each L-shaped member 33 is a longitudinally extending tubular frame member 39. While I have shown members 39 as being tubular, it will be evident that any other desirable shape or construction may be used and still fall within the spirit and scope of my invention. It will now be apparent that the L-shaped members 33 and the tubular members 39 provide, in effect an integrated unit so that when either of these members is moved longitudinally with respect to the stationary frame 15, a similar movement will be induced in the other member.

The gripping jaw support means 31 is formed into a unitary rectangular structure by means of transversely extending end tubular members 41, such tubular members being connected to the ends of the longitudinally extending tubular members 39, as at 43, so that the upper and lower longitudinally extending tubular members 39 will be spaced from each other a distance so that the upper surface of the upper tubular member 39 will engage, and is fixed to the horizontally extending leg 35 of the upper L-shaped member 33, while the lower surface of the lower tubular member 39 will engage and is fixed to the lower horizontally extending leg 35 of lower L- shaped member 33.

At each end of the gripping jaw support means 31 a gripping jaw mechanism is mounted and is operable between the upper and lower tubular members 39 which comprise the longitudinally extending members, or sides, of the gripping jaw support means. I have designated these two gripping jaw mechanisms in their entirety by the numeral 45. Adjacent to, but inwardly spaced, from the ends of the upper and lower tubular members 39 I fixedly attach, in any suitable manner, to each tubular member upper and lower annular fixed sleeves 47, the upper and lower fixed sleeves 47 being in vertical alignment. Extending between and into each fixed sleeve 47 is a pintle 49, the pintle being fixed in either or both of the sleeves 47, in any suitable manner, to maintain it in position within the fixed sleeves 47. The length of the pintle 49 between the lower annular edge of the upper sleeve 47 and the upper annular edge of the lower fixed sleeve 47 is housed within a cylindrical gripping jaw support member 51, the member 51 being rotatable relative to the pintle. Adjacent the upper and lower ends of the cylindrical gripping jaw support member 51 is fixed in any suitable manner a gripping jaw mounting segment plate 53 which projects radially outwardly from the gripping jaw support member 51, the rear surface of plate 53 is curved forwardly as at 54, and seated and fixed in this curved surface is an arcuate scaffold gripping surface 55. The plate and the element 55 provide one element of a gripping jaw arrangement. In general alignment with the gripping jaw when it is in operative gripping position, as shown in full lines in FIG. 4, is a stationary gripping element 57 which is complimentary to, and coacts with the movable gripping jaw in the scaffold gripping operation. I provide means for causing rotation, or pivoting movement of the gripping jaws 55 toward and from the arcuate stationary gripping elements 57, such mechanism for causing this rotation being designated in its entirety by the numeral 59. On the lower tubular member 39, of the gripping jaw support means 31, I mount a bracket having a base 61 and an upstanding element 63 from which projects a mounting element 65. A hydraulic cylinder 67 is provided, from one end of which projects a mounting element 69 for mounting on the element 65 for pivoting action with respect thereto by means of a pivot pin 71. It will thus be seen that the hydraulic cylinder is supported from the upright 63 for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane generally parallel to the top surface of a tubular member 39. Pressure fluid inlet and outlets 73 are provided at each end of the cylinder 67 for operating a conventional piston therein from one end of which a usual piston rod 75 operatively extends. The outer end of the piston rod 75 is enlarged as at 77 and is provided with an aperture therein in which projects a pivot pin 79 which is fixed to and extends upwardly from the gripping jaw mounting plate 53. The pin 79 projecting into the opening in the enlarged portion 77 of the piston rod, the enlarged portion 77 being rotative relative to the pin 79 so that the piston rod and its enlarged end are pivotally connected to the gripping jaw plate 53. It will now be apparent that upon actuation of the hydraulic means to project the piston rod forwardly, and then rearwardly in its rotative path, the lower gripping jaw plate 53 will be caused to rotate and move towards its complementary stationary gripping element 57 to clamp therebetween an element 83 of a scaffold. It will be appreciated that the gripping jaws may be actuated to any position between fully open and closed positions. It will be further recognized that when rotary movement is induced in the lower gripping jaw plate 53 the cylindrical member 51 will be caused to rotate with resultant simultaneous rotative travel of the upper gripping jaw plate 53 to move the upper gripping jaw 55 toward its complementary stationary gripping element 57 for clamping the element of the scaffold therebetween. As I have stated, a gripping jaw mounting mechanism 45 is provided at each end of the gripping jaw support means 31, and the hydraulic actuating means and the gripping jaw mechanism is of similar construction at each end of the gripping jaw support means, so that I shall not now describe the other gripping jaw mechanism 45 and the actuating means 59 in detail. The gripping jaw plates 53, at both sides, open and close simultaneously since they are interconnected hydraulically and have no control lever.

It will also be evident that the scaffold or tubular falsework to be operated upon is gripped at each side thereof by the gripping mechanisms which are provided adjacent each end of the gripping jaw support means. It will be further evident that each scaffold element at each side of the scaffolding or tubular falsework is gripped at two vertically spaced points by the upper and lower gripping jaws 55 and complementary stationary elements 57.

In FIG. 1 of the drawings I have illustrated one example of a scaffold or tubular falsework being gripped for movement to another site, or for other operations thereon, and I have designated this framework in its entirety by the numeral 81, such tubular falsework or scaffold may comprise vertical elements 83 connected by horizontal elements 85 and diagonal elements (not shown), and it will be apparent from FIG. 1 of the drawings that the scaffold 811 is gripped at four different areas by the attachment on the forklift, such areas being indicated by the letters A, B, C, and D, thus a firm and sound gripping and holding arrangement is provided between the attachment and the scaffold being operated upon.

In order to actuate the gripping jaw support means 31 from the position show in FIGS. 1 and 2 to laterally displaced position with respect to the forklift truck as shown in FIG. 3, I provide an actuating mechanism consisting of a hydraulic cylinder 87 which is pivotally mounted as at 89 to the upper longitudinally extending side member 17 of the stationary frame 15. The hydraulic cylinder 87 is provided with the conventional fluid pressure inlet and outlet 91, and with the conventional piston rod 93 which is projectable and retractable under the actuation of the usual piston within the cylinder 87. In line with the piston rod 93 I provide a bracket 95 which is fixed on the end tubular member 41 of the gripping jaw support means 31. The end of the piston rod is removably connected to the bracket 95, in any suitable manner, as by a removable pin 97 which extends through bifurcated ends 99 on the end of piston rod. Thus, when the hydraulic mechanism, including the cylinder 87, is activated to project the piston rod 93 the gripping jaw support means 31 is moved into laterally disposed position as disclosed in FIG. 3 of the drawings. In this movement the gripping jaw support means slides along the top and lower edges of the upper and lower longitudinally extending side members 17 until the piston rod is fully projected. Obviously, by operating the hydraulic mechanism the gripping jaw support means 31 may be retracted into the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

It may be desirable for access reasons, in certain use adaptations of my invention, to have the gripping jaw support frame 31 laterally projectable on the other side of the forklift truck, in other words, when viewing FIG. 3 the gripping jaw support frame would be projected to the left relative to the stationary frame. This may. be accomplished with facility merely by removing the pin 97 from its position connecting the piston rod and the bracket 95, and then pivoting the cylinder 87, on its pivot 89, until it extends in the opposite direction from that disclosed in FIG. 3. It will be obvious that a bracket 95 is fixed to the tubular end member 41 (see F IG. 9), which is on the opposite end of the gripping jaw support means, so that upon pivoting the cylinder 87, in a manner as described, the piston rod may then be removably connected to bracket 95 fixed to the other tubular end member.

It will be recognized that an object of moving the gripping jaw support means 31 laterally, with respect to the forklift upon and possibly which the gripping jaw support means is mounted, is to eliminate any possibility of interference between the wheels of the forklift and the mudsills upon which the scaffold, o'r falsework towers, are conventionally mounted, and in general for more accurate placement of the scaffold on any base without depending solely on the forklift truck steering control for location. With the gripping jaw support means in a laterally disposed position, as disclosed in FIG. 3 of the drawings, it will be appreciated that the wheels on one side of the forklift truck, when the attachment is operatively connected to the scafiold, will be positioned between the mudsills while the other set of wheels will be positioned on one side of one set of mudsills so that there is no possibility of interference between the forklift wheels and the mudsills. It will be appreciated that the problem of tire and mudsill interference varies depending upon the size of the forklift, i.e. tires and width between tires. It will also be understood that in certain adaptations the attachment may be used with the gripping jaw support means aligned with the stationary frame as disclosed in FIG. 1 of the drawings, and it will also be apparent that in using my apparatus it is not essential that the gripping jaw support means be moved to its full laterally disposed position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, instead the piston rod may be actuated to less than its fully projected position. The pair of hydraulic cylinders 59 and the cylinder 87 are independently operable, and the pressure lines extend to a control mechanism which is positioned adjacentthe operator of the forklift truck. The hydraulic actuating means may be of any conventional type, as will be well understood by anyone skilled in that art.

In use, with the scaffold erector attached to the forklift, the forklift is brought into position with the stationary gripping jaws in engagement with the elements 83 of the scaffold. One vertically spaced pair of jaws 57 being in engagement with one element 83 and the other pair of stationary jaws being in engagement with an element 83 on the other side of the scaffold. Each hydraulic mechanism 59 is then actuated to move the movable gripping jaws into operative position gripping an element 83 between elements 57 and the gripping jaws, as illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings. It will be appreciated that movement of the lower gripping jaws induced by actuation of the hydraulic mechanisms will cause simultaneous movement of the upper gripping jaws through rotation of sleeves 51.

With the scaffold so held by my attachment it may be raised above the ground by the forklift for transfer to another site, or for stripping the scaffold from the bottom down or for erecting the scaffold from the bottom up.

Iclaim:

l. A scaffold erector adapted to be mounted on the mast of a forklift truck, or the like, including in combination, a generally rectangular stationary frame attached to the mast of the forklift truck, said stationary frame in attached position on the mast extending transversely with respect to the fore and aft plane of the forklift truck, gripping jaw support means mounted on said stationary frame and a movable scaffold gripping jaw being mounted at each end of the gripping jaw support means, means for actuating said gripping jaws, a stationary jaw gripping element for each jaw for coaction therewith in the scaffold gripping operation and said gripping jaw support means being slidably mounted and movable on said frame in directions transverse to the fore and aft plane of the forklift truck, means for causing said sliding movement of said gripping jaws support means relative to stationary frame and said means for causing sliding movement of the gripping jaw support means is pivotally anchored at one end to the stationary frame and at its other end is releasably connected to one end of the gripping jaw support means, whereby the other end may be released and releasably b connected to the other end of the gripping jaw support means. 

1. A scaffold erector adapted to be mounted on the mast of a forklift truck, or the like, including in combination, a generally rectangular stationary frame attached to the mast of the forklift truck, said stationary frame in attached position on the mast extending transversely with respect to the fore and aft plane of the forklift truck, gripping jaw support means mounted on said stationary frame and a movablE scaffold gripping jaw being mounted at each end of the gripping jaw support means, means for actuating said gripping jaws, a stationary jaw gripping element for each jaw for coaction therewith in the scaffold gripping operation and said gripping jaw support means being slidably mounted and movable on said frame in directions transverse to the fore and aft plane of the forklift truck, means for causing said sliding movement of said gripping jaws support means relative to stationary frame and said means for causing sliding movement of the gripping jaw support means is pivotally anchored at one end to the stationary frame and at its other end is releasably connected to one end of the gripping jaw support means, whereby the other end may be released and releasably connected to the other end of the gripping jaw support means. 